Phosphonic acid-containing blends and phosphonic acid-containing polymers

ABSTRACT

A blend or blend membrane formed from a hydroxymethylene-oligo-phosphonic acid R-C(P0 3 H 2 ) x (OH) y  and a polymer, in which the radical R is any organic radical, x and y are integers, the hydroxymethylene-oligo-phosphonic acid is a product of a reaction involving a carbonic acid, a carbonic acid halide or a carbonic acid anhydride, and the polymer includes a functional group selected from the group consisting of (i) suitable cation exchange groups or their non-ionic precursor and (ii) suitable basic groups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Commercially available ionomer membranes based on perfluorinated sulfonic acids can be used at temperatures below 100° C. in electrochemical cells, especially in fuel cells and show in this temperature range good H⁺-conductivities and high (electro)chemical stability. They can't be used at temperatures above 100° C., because they dry out and fort his reason their proton conductivity decreases several orders of magnitude. ^(1,2) However it makes sense to run a fuel cell at temperatures above 100° C. because the CO-tolerance of the fuel cell reaction in this temperature range is markedly greater due to a faster electrode kinetic as below 100° C.³. How ever as explained above is the use of sulfonated ionomer membranes at temperatures above 100° C. in fuel cells atmospheric pressure and with out humidifying of the membrane not possible. In the literature several approaches for alternative proton conductors in the temperature range of approximately 100 to 200° C. can be found. One of these approaches is the incorporation of matter in the sulfonated fuel cell membrane, which is able to store water above 100° C. in the fuel cell membrane and to secure thereby a sufficient proton conductivity of sulfonated fuel cell membranes in this temperature range. Such matter comprises microporous particles in micrometre to nanometre size composed out of inorganic hydroxides, oxides or salts or out of inorganic/organic hybrid compounds, such as SiO₂ ^(4,5,6), TiO₂, ZrO₂ ⁷, or from layered phosphates or from zirconium sulfophenylphosphonates, whereby the layered phosphates like zirconiumhydrogenphosphate or zirconiumsulfophenylphosphonate show also a self proton conductivity^(8,9). Another approach is the incorporation of phosphoric acid in basic polybenzimidazole-membianes, whereby the phosphoric acid works as proton conductor, because phosphoric acid can be a proton donor as well as a proton acceptor. These membranes can be used in fuel cells up to 200° C.^(10,11,12,13). ¹ K. T. Adjemian, S. Srinivasan, J. Benziger, A. B. Bocarsly, J. Power Sources 2002, 109(2), 356-364² S. C. Yeo, A. Eisenberg, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 1977, 21, 875-898³ Q. Li et al., Chem. Mat. 15(2003) 4896⁴ A. S. Aricò, P. Creti, P. L. Antonucci. V. Antonucci, Electrochem. Solid-State Lett. 1998, 1(2), 66-68⁵ K. T. Adjemian, S. J. Lee, S. Srinivasan, J. Benziger, A. B. Bocarsly, J. Electrochem. Soc. 2002, 149(3), A256-A261⁶ I. Honma, H. Nakaiima, O. Nishikawa, T. Sugimoto, S. Nomura, J Electrochem. Soc. 2002, 149(10), A1389-A1392⁷ K. A. Mauritz, Mat. Sci. Eng. 1998, C6, 121-133⁸ C. Yang. S. Srinivasan, A. S, Aricò, P, Creti. V. Baglio, V. Antonucci. Electrochem. Solid-State Lett. 2001. 44, A31-A34⁹ G. Alberti. M. Casciola, Annu. Rev. Mater. Res. 2003, 33(1), 129-154¹⁰ R. F. Savinell; M. H. Litt; U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,436, Jun. 11, 1996¹¹ J. S. Wainright, J.-T. Wang, D. Weng. R. F. Savinell, M. H. Litt. J. Electrochem. Soc. 1995, 142, L121¹² G. Calandann, M. Sansone, B. Benicewicz, E. W. Choe, Oe. Uensal, J. Kiefer, DE 10246459 A1, 2004¹³ Y. L. Ma, J. S. Wainright, M. H. Litt, R. F. Savinell , J. Electrochem. Soc. 2004, 151(1) A8-A16

As the phosphoric acid can bleed out from these membranes below 100° C. (due to formation of liquid product water), membranes have been developed with the by itself proton-conducting phosphonic acid group. From the literature are also known several publications to make phosphonated ionomer membranes. They comprise perfluorinated phosphonated membranes¹⁴, phenylphosphonic acid-modified polyaryloxyphosphazenes¹⁵ or membranes based on aryl main chain polymers like Polysulfone Udell^(16,17) or polyphenylene oxide¹⁸. Research on phosphonic acid groups containing model compounds showed significant self proton conductivity also at reduced humidification¹⁹. ¹⁴ M. Yamabe. K. Akiyama, Y. Akatsuka, M. Kato. Eur. Polym. J. 2000, 36, 1035-1041¹⁵ IT R. Allcock, M. A. Hofmann, C. M. Ambler, R. V. Morford, Macromolecules 2002, 35, 3484-3489¹⁶ B. Lafitte, P. Jannasch, Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry 2005, 43, 273-286¹⁷ K. Jakoby, K. V. Peinemann, S. P. Nunes, Macromol. Chem. Phys 204, 61-67, 2003¹⁸ Xu and I. Cabasso, J. Polym. Mater. Sci. 1993, 120, 68¹⁹ K. D. Kreuer, S. J. Paddison, E. Spohr, M. Schuster, Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 4637-4678

Polymers modified with phosphonic acid groups show however the following disadvantages which have hindered so far their use in fuel cells:

-   -   so far experimentally only low phosphonation degree could be         obtained (about one phosphonic acid group per polymer-repeating         unit)^(15,20,21,17) ¹⁵ IT R. Allcock, M. A. Hofmann, C. M.         Ambler, R. V. Morford, Macromolecules 2002, 35,         3484-3489²⁰ H. R. Allcock, M. A. Hofmann, C. M. Ambler, S. N.         Lvov, X. Y. Zhou, E. Chalkova, J. Weston, J., J. Alembr. Set.         2002, 201, 47-54²¹ Miyatake and Hay, J. Polym. Sci. 2001, 39,         3770¹⁷ K. Jakoby, K. V. Peinemann, S. P. Nunes, Macromol. Chem.         Phys 204, 61-67, 2003     -   there are no (water-free) conductivity data of phosphonated         polymers published (only conductivity data of phosphonated         oligomers are documented¹⁹) ¹⁹ K. D. Kreuer, S. J. Paddison, E.         Spohr, M. Schuster, Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 4637-4678     -   non-fluorinated arylphosphonic acids are in general only medium         strong acids (pK_(s)≈2)→only low proton conductivities are         obtained with the so far synthesised phosphonated ionomers     -   phosphonic acids could so far only introduced as ester in         polymers (Michaelis-Arbusov¹⁷ or Michaelis-Becker reaction¹⁸ or         via lithiation^(20,16)) ¹⁷ K. Jakoby, K. V. Peinemann, S. P.         Nunes, Macromol. Chem. Phys 204, 61-67, 2003¹⁸ Xu and I.         Cabasso, J. Polym. Mater. Sci. 1993, 120, 68²⁰ H. R.         Allcock, M. A. Hofmann, C. M. Ambler, S. N. Lvov, X. Y. Zhou, E.         Chalkova, J. Weston, J., J. Alembr. Set. 2002, 201, 47-54¹⁶ B.         Lafitte, P. Jannasch, Journal of Polymer Science: Part A:         Polymer Chemistry 2005, 43, 273-286     -   hydrolysis of the ester of phosphonic acids to the free         phosphonic acid has been reached so far only partially²⁰         ²⁰ H. R. Allcock, M. A. Hofmann, C. M. Ambler, S. N. Lvov, X. Y.         Zhou, E. Chalkova, J. Weston, J., J. Alembr. Set. 2002, 201,         47-54     -   problematic solubility of polymeric phosphonic acids (sparingly         soluble in the “classic” solvents for ionomers like NMP, DMAc or         DMF)     -   polymeric phosphonic acids show bad film building properties         (are very brittle)     -   many phosphonation processes can not be transferred from low         molecular compounds to high molecular compounds, in part due to         solubility problems in the solvents used for these reactions     -   in part polymer decomposition during the phosphonation reaction         or during the hydrolysis of the ester of the phosphonic acid to         the free phosphonic acid (in one experiment polymer         decomposition from 20.000 glmol to 2.000 g/mol has been         observed)²² ²² J. Kerres, F. Schrönberger, unveröffentlichte         Ergebnisse     -   phosphonic acids tend at temperatures around 120° C. to         condensate. which renders their use in fuel cells in the         temperature range above>100° C. so far impossible.

SUMMARY

The objective of the present invention consists in the synthesis of mixtures of polymers containing 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid groups with the following properties:

-   -   highest possible acidity of the phosphonic acid groups     -   highest possible content of phosphonic acid groups     -   suppression of the condensation of the phosphonic acid group     -   highest possible proton conductivity also at reduced         humidification and at temperatures up to 180° C. ²⁰ H. R.         Allcock, M. A. Hofmann, C. M. Ambler, S. N. Lvov, X. Y. Zhou, E.         Chalkova, J. Weston, J., J. Alembr. Set. 2002, 201, 47-54²¹         Miyatake and Hay, J. Polym. Sci. 2001, 39, 3770²² J. Kerres, F.         Schrönberger, unveröffentlichte Ergebnisse     -   prevention of bleeding out of the polymer blends, if blends of         polymeres with low molecular         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids according to the         invention are used in membrane applications.

A further objective of this invention are processes to produce mixtures of polymers (blends) containing phosphonic acid groups.

Finally an objective of this invention is to apply the mixtures of polymers (blends) in membrane processes like gas separation, pervaporation, perstraction, PEM-electrolysis and secondary batteries like PEM- as well as direct methanol fuel cells especially at conditions of reduced humidification (0 to 50%) And higher temperature (temperatures of 60 to 180° C., especially temperatures of 80 to 180° C. and in particular temperatures of 100 to 130° C.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows preferred 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acids, to be prepared from the respective carboxylic acids via reaction with PCI₃/H₃PO₃ and subsequent hydrolysis.

FIG. 2 shows preparation procedure of 1-hydroxymethylenebisphosphonic acids from reaction of carboxylic acid chlorides with tris(trimethylsilylphosphite).

FIGS. 3-7 show 1-Hydroxymethylenebisphosphonic acids prepared via reaction of carboxylic acid chlorides with tris(trimethylsilylphosphite).

FIG. 8 shows ionical cross-linking between low-molecular hydroxymethylenebisphosphonic acid and the sulfonic acid groups of an ionomer.

FIG. 9 shows a covalent cross-linking between hydroxymethylenebisphosphonic acids and the OH groups of a polymer.

FIG. 10 shows a cross-linking of the OH groups of a 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acid under network formation.

FIG. 11 shows cross-linking of the OH groups of 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acid molecules with OH groups of a polymer via use of epichlorohydrin as cross-linker.

FIG. 12 shows preparation of PSU modified with 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acid groups from PSU-carboxylic acid chloride.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show pK_(A) values of low-molecular 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acids according to the invention.

FIG. 15 shows pK_(A) of the model compounds of two high-molecular 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acids, according to the invention.

FIG. 16 shows preparation of a polythioethersulfone containing 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acid groups via lithiation.

FIG. 17 shows preparation of a polyethersulfone containing 1-hydroxymethylene-1, 1-bisphosphonic acid groups via lithiation.

FIGS. 18-33 show possible structures of the polymer backbone and preferred polymer structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It has been found surprisingly that the objective of the invention can be obtained by:

1. Production of if necessary physically, ionically or covalently cross-linked blends and blend membranes of low molecular hydroxymethylene-oligo-phosphonic acids R-C(PO₃H₂)_(x)(OH)_(y) with polymers containing the following functional groups:

-   -   cation exchange groups or there non-ionic precursors of the         type:         -   SO₂X, X=Hal, OH, OMe, NR₁R₂, OR₁ with Me=any metal cation or             ammonium cation, R₁, R₂=H or any aryl- or alkyl moiety,         -   POX₂         -   COX     -   and/or     -   basic groups like primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups,         imidazole groups, pyridine groups, pyrazole groups etc.     -   and/or     -   OH groups.

The preferred low molecular 1-hydroxymethylene-phosphonic acids according to the invention, exemplarily producible from carbonic acids by reaction with PCI₃/H₃PO₃ and subsequent hydrolysis with H₂O^(23,24,25,26,27) are shown in FIG. 1. Other preferred low molecular 1-hydroxymethylene-bisphosphonic acids according to the invention, producible from carbonic acids halides with tris(trimethylsilylphosphite)^(28,29,30,31), production process see FIG. 2 are shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Another process to produce 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids consists in the reaction of tris(trimethylphosphite) with acid anhydrides like phtalic acid anhydrid³². ²³ Gerard R. Kieczykowski. Ronald B. Jobson, David G. Melillo. Donald F. Reinhold, Victor J. Grenda, and Ichiro Shinkai, J. Org. Chem. 1995, 60, 8310-8312²⁴ Blum, H.; Worms, K. U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,039, 1982²⁵ Blum, H.; Worms, K. U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,761, 1983⁷⁶ Rosini, S.; Staibano. G. U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,077, 1986²⁷ Jary, J.; Rihakova, V.; Zobacova, A. U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,734, 1981²⁸ Marc Lecouvey, Isabelle Mallard, Theodorine Bailly, Ramon Burgada and Yves Leroux, Tetrahedron Letters 2001, 42, 8475-8478²⁹ Sekine, M.; Hata. T. J Chem. Soc. Chem Commun. 1978, 285³⁰ Lecouvey, M.; Leroux, Y. Heteroatom Chem. 2000, 11(7), 556-561³¹ Sekine, M.; Okimoto, K.; Yamada, K.; Hata, T. J. Org. Chem. 1981, 46, 2097-2107³² Guenin. E.; Degache. E.; Liquier, J.; Lecouvey, M. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2004, 2983-2987

A special embodiment of these blends is that between the polymers and the low molecular phosphonic acids ionic cross-links may be formed, for instance between the cation exchange groups of the polymer with a basic group (e.g. pyridine moiety) of the low molecular phosphonic acid compound, see FIG. 8. Another possibility of bonding of the low molecular hydroxymethylenephosphonic acids on the polymers is a covalent cross-link, for instance by crosslinking of the OH-group of the phosphonic acid compoand with an OH-group of the polymer via a ∀,T-dihalogene alcane, see FIG. 9. Other possible cross-linking reactions for the OH-group of the 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid group and if necessary with OH-groups of polymers according to the invention are:

-   -   Cross-linking by addition of AgNO₃ to the mixture of 1-hydroxy         methylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid containing OH-groups and if         necessary polymers containing OH-groups ander hydrothermal         conditions and reduction of AgNO₃ to elemental silver         nanoparticles and liberation of HNO₃ ³³ (FIG. 10 concerning the         cross-linking of OH-groups of different         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid molecules, if         necessary by formation of never ending 3D networks by use of         molecules with several 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid         groups); ³³ Luo, L.-B.; Yu, S.-H.; Qian, H.-S.; Zhou, T. J. Am.         Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 2822     -   Cross-linking of 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids with         OH groups containing polymers by use of epichlorhydrine as         cross-linker (FIG. 11)^(34,35); ³⁴ Wang, Z.; Luo, J.; Zhu, X.         X.; Jin, S.; Tomaszewski, M. J. J. Comb. Chem. 2004, 6,         961-966³⁵ Wan, Y.; Huang, W. Q.; Wang, Z.; Zhu, X. X. Polymer         2004, 45(1), 71-77     -   Cross-linking of OH groups of         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids and if necessary of         OH groups of the polymer with glutaraldehyde³⁶; ³⁶ Zhao, D.;         Liao, G.; Gao, G.; Liu, F. Macromolecules 2006, published on Web         Jan. 12, 2006,         http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/asap.cgi/mamobx/asap/pdf/ma0524191.pdf     -   Cross-linking of OH groups of         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids and if necessary of         OH groups of the polymer with melamine-formaldehyd         cross-linker³⁷; ³⁷ Benson, M. T. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2003, 42,         4147-4155     -   Cross-linking of OH groups of         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids and if necessary of         OH groups of the polymers after reaction of the OH groups with         Zcinnamon acid chloride by photocross-linking (cycloaddition)         under UV light³⁸; ³⁸ Hu, Y.; Gamble, V.; Painter, P. C.;         Coleman, M. M. Macromolecules 2002, 35, 1289-1298     -   Cross-linking of OH groups of         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids and if necessary of         OH groups of the polymer with polyvalent cations, e.g. Ca²⁺ ³⁹;         ³⁹ Bonapasta, A. A.; Buda, F., Colombet, P.; Guerrini, G. Chem.         Mater. 2002, 14, 1016-1022     -   In principal all types of cross-linking reactions which rely on         cross-linking reactions of OH groups are applicable to the         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids according to the         invention and if necessary OH groups containing polymers.

Covalent cross-linking prevents diffusion of the phosphonic acid compound out of the polymer and increases the mechanical stability of the blended films.

By the above described covalent cross-linking processes interpenetrating network (IPN) of the most different structure and composition can be formed. An example of this follows below. Exemplarily the following components are dissolved in an aprotic solvent such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO): a polymer with sulfochloride groups, a cross-linker for sulfochloride groups like 4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone⁴⁰, a bifunctional 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid like 1,4-bis(1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid)benzene and a cross-linker for the OH groups of 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid like glutaraldehyde. After making a homogeneous solution of all components, it is coated on a support with a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated. An IPN is formed from the network of sulfochlorated polymer with difunctional amine and the network of 1,4-bis(1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid)benzene and glutaraldehyde, that can be posttreated by mineral acid (0,1 to 80% H₂SO₄, 0,1 to 37% HCl or 0,1 to 85% phosphoric acid) and if necessary storage in water to remove an excess of mineral acid. An example of a hybride polymer network (HPN) is for example: in a dipolar-aprotic solvent (see above) the following components are dissolved: a polymer with sulfonate groups (—SO₃Me) and sulfinate groups (—SO₂Me) in the salt form with Me representing alkali metal cation, earth alkali metal cation, any ammonium ion, Ag⁺-Ion, 3-(1-hydroxy-1,1-bisphosphonic acid)-pyridine, a α,ω-dihalogene alcane like 1,4-diiodine butane as cross-linker for the sulfinate groups (S-alkylation of the sulfinate groups⁴¹) and as cross-linker for the OH groups of 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid groups e.g. glutaraldehye³⁶. After making a homogeneous solution of all components, it is coated on a support with a doctor blade and the solvent is evaporated. The formed HPN can be posttreated as follows: 1. Post-treatment in mineral acid (0,1 to 80% H₂SO₄, 0,1 to 37% HCl or 0,1 to 85% phosphoric acid) and if necessary 2. subsequent storage in water to remove an excess of mineral acid. The formed HPN consists of a covalent network of the polymer with sulfinate and sulfonate groups⁴², whereby the sulfinate groups are cross-linked by S-alkylation with 1,4-diiodine butane and the network of 3-(1-hydroxy-1,1-bisphosphonic acid)-pyridine and glutaraldehyde. In addition ionic interactions exist between both networks between the pyridine groups of 3-(1-hydroxy-1,1-bisphosphonic acids)-pyridins and the sulfonate groups of the sulfonated polymer. Also the 1,4-diiodine butane cross-linker can cross-link also a part of the pyridine groups by alkylation, whereby mixed cross-linking bridges between the sulfinate groups and the pyridine groups are formed⁴³. ⁴⁰ R. Nolte. K. Ledjeff, M. Bauer, R. Mülhaupt, R., J. Memb. Sci. 1993, 83, 211-220⁴¹ Kerres, J.; Cui, W.; Junginger, M. J. Memb. Sci. 1998, 139, 227-241³⁶ Zhao, D.; Liao, G.; Gao, G.; Liu, F. Macromolecules 2006, published on Web Jan. 12, 2006, http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/asap.cgi/mamobx/asap/pdf/ma0524191.pdf⁴² Kerres. J.; Zhang, W.; Cui, W. J Polym. Sci.: Part A: Polym. Chem. 1998, 36, 1441-1448⁴³ Kerres, J.; Zhang, W. Tang, C. M. U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,585; granted at 27 Jul. 2004

2. Production of Polymeric 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic Acids from Carboxylated Polymers

As already mentioned in part 1, it is known, that 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids can be made from acid chlorides R-COCl or acid anhydrides with tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite and following hydrolysis of the silyl compound or by reaction of carbonic acids with phosphorous trichloride in phosphorous acid. Surprisingly it has been found that this reaction is successful also with polymeric carbonic acids/polymeric carbonic acid halides. Polymers modified with the 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid groups are also part of this invention. In FIG. 12 is shown the production of polysulfone Udel® modified with 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid groups from PSU-carbonic acid chloride. In principal with this synthetic method all carboxylated polymers can be reacted to polymers containing the 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid group.

Semi empirical calculation with the Software ACD Laboratories (pK_(A) module) have shown surprisingly, that the acidity of 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids of the type R-C(PO₃H₂)_(x)(OH)_(y) (here x=2 and y=1) as in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 have a high acidity for phosphonic acids of pK_(A)=0 up to even pK_(A)=−1. Semi empirical calculation with the Software ACD Laboratories (pK_(A) module) on polymeric model compounds containing the 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid groups have shown surprisingly that also the phosphonic acid groups of the corresponding polymers show a high acidity for phosphonic acids of about pK_(A)=0 (FIG. 15).

3. Production of Polymeric 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic Acids from Polymers Containing Carbonyl Groups (Aldehyde or Ceio Groups)

In the literature there is one publication describing the production of 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acids from aldehyds⁴⁴. It has been found surprisingly, that this reaction can be carried out with polymers carrying aldehyd groups. The reaction is shown exemplarily in FIG. 16 for an aldehyd-modified polythioethersulfone made from lithiated polythioethersulfone by reaction of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)⁴⁵. Also surprisingly was that polymers carrying ceto groups (made for example as in⁴⁶) can be modified with this method with 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid groups. An example of such a reaction is shown in FIG. 17. ⁴⁴ Y. L. Xie. Q. Zhu. X. R. Qin, Y. Y. Xie, Chinese Chemical Letters 2003, 14(1), 25-28⁴⁵ M. D. Guiver. H. Zhang, G. P. Robertson, Y. Dai, Journal of Polymer Science, Part A. Polymer Chemistry 2001, 39, 675-682⁴⁶ J. Kerres, A. Ullrich, T. Haring. U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,067; granted at Aug. 7, 2003; European Patent EP1 105 433 B1; granted at 27 Oct. 2004

In principal all common polymers containing the functional groups as mentioned in part 1 can be used.

The following polymers are preferred:

-   -   polyolefines like polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisobutylene,         polynorbornene, polymethylpentene, polyisoprene,         poly(1,4-butadiene), poly(1,2-butadiene)     -   styrene(co)polymers like polystyrene, poly(methylstyrene),         poly(α,β,β-trifluorstyrene), poly(pentafluorostyrene)     -   polyvinylalkohols and their copolymers     -   polyvinylphenols and their copolymers     -   poly(4-vinylpyridine), poly(2-vinylpyridine) and their         copolymers     -   perfluorinated ionomers like Nafion® or their SO₂Ha1 precursor         of Nafion® (Hal=F, CI, Br, I), Dow®-membrane,         GoreSelect®-membrane     -   sulfonated PVDF and/or the SO₂Ha1-precursor, whereby Hal         represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine     -   (het)aryl main chain polymers like:         -   polyetherketones like polyetherketone PEK Victrex®,             polyetheretherke one PEEK Victrex®, polyetherketoneketone             PEKK, polyetheretherketoneketone         -   PEEKK, polyetherketoneetherketoneketone PEKEKK Ultrapek®         -   polyethersulfone like polysulfone Udel®, polyphenylsulfone             Radel R®, polyetherethersulfone Radel A®, polyethersulfone             PES Victrex®         -   poly(benz)imidazole like PBI Celazol® and other oligomers             and polymers containing the (benz)imidazole building block             whereby the (benz)imidazole group can be in the main chain             or in the polymer side chain polyphenyleneether like e.g.             poly(2,6-dimethyloxyphenylene),             poly(2,6-diphenylox-yphenylene)         -   polyphenylensulfide and copolymers         -   poly(1,4-phenylene) or poly(1,3-phenylene), which can be             modified in the side chain if necessary in with benzoyl-,             naphtoyl- or o-phenyloxy-1,4-benzoyl groups,             m-phenyloxy-1,4-benzoylgroups or p-phenyloxy-1,4-benzoyl             groups.         -   poly(benzoxazole) and copolymers         -   poly(benzthiazole) and copolymers         -   poly(phtalazinone) and copolymers         -   polyaniline and copolymers

In principle all polymers especially all aryl main chain polymers are possible as base polymers for the polymers and polymer mixtures according to the invention. Also all possible block copolymers from these polymers, especially from aryl main chain polymers are possible, whereby the following types of block copolymers are preferred:

-   -   block copolymers made from cation exchange group modified blocks         (—COX, POX₂, SO₂X with X=OH, OMet, NR₂, Met=metal cation,         ammonium ion, OR with R=alkyl or aryl) and from unmodified         blocks;     -   block copolymers made from OH group modified blocks and from         unmodified block;     -   block copolymers made from blocks containing basic groups and         from unmodified block; thereby the choice of basic groups is not         limited, however preferred are heterocyclic or heteroaromatic,         e.g. pyridyl-, imidazolyl-, benzimidazolyl- or pyrazolyl groups;     -   block copolymers, made from blocks modified with hydrophobic         groups (e.g. trimethylsilyl —Si(CH₃)₃, trifluormethyl —CF₃,         fluoride —F) and from blocks modified with cation exhcange         groups (—COX, —POX₂, —SO₂X with X=OH, OMet, NR₂, Met=metal         cation, ammonium ion, OR with R=alkyl or aryl);     -   block copolymers from acidic blocks containing cation exchange         groups and blocks containing basics groups;     -   block copolymers with OH groups containing blocks and acidic         groups containing blocks;     -   block copolymers with OH groups containing blocks and basic         groups containing blocks.     -   Any combination of the above mentioned block copolymers are         possible.

Especially preferred polymer construction units and polymers are presented in der FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, FIG. 27, FIG. 28, FIG. 29, FIG. 30, FIG. 31, FIG. 32 and FIG. 33.

All common procedures for the phosphonation, carboxylation and/or sulfonation of the polymers can be applied. The most important procedures are presented in the following:

-   -   Sulfonation:

Process via metalation: first inetalation (e.g. with n-butyl lithium), then reaction with a S-electrophil (SO₂, SO₃, SOCl₂, SO₂Cl₂), then if necessary reaction to the sulfonic acid (during the reaction of lithiated polymers with SO₂ sulfinates are formed, which are processed with an oxidation agent like H₂O₂, NaOCl, KMnO₄ etc. to the corresponding sulfonates⁴⁷, during the reaction of lithiated polymers with SO₂Cl₂ sulfochlorides are formed, which are hydrolysed with water, acids or bases to the corresponding sulfonic acids⁴⁸). ⁴⁷ J. Kerres, W. Cui, P. Reichle, J. Polym. Sci,: Part A: Polym. Chem, 34, 2421-2438 (1996)⁴⁸ J. A. Kerres, A. J. van Zyl, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 74, 428-438 (1999)

Process via electrophilic sulfonation: reaction of the polymer with concentrated sulfuric acid^(49,50), H₂SO⁴⁻SO₃ ^(51,52), chlorsulfonic acid, SO₃-triethylphosphate, SO₃-pyridine or other usual S-electrophiles.

Also other not explicitly described sulfonation processes can be used for the introduction of the sulfonic acid group. ⁴⁹ F. Helmer-Metzmann, F. Osan, A. Schneller, H. Ritter. K. Ledjeff, R. Nolte, R. Thorwirth, EP 0574 791 B1, 22.12.1999⁵⁰ S. Kaliuguine, S. D. Mikhailenko. K. P. Wang, P. Xing, G. P. Robertson, M. D. Guiver, Catalysis Today 2003, 82, 213-222⁵¹ H. H. Ulrich, G. Rafler, Angew. Makromol. Chem. 1998, 263, 71-78⁵² J, Kerres, C.-M. Tang, C. Graf, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2004, 43(16), 4571-4579 (available via URL: http://pubs.acs.org/cgibin/asap.cgi/iecred/asap/pdf/ie030762d.pdf)

Also polymers can be used according to the invention where sulfonated monomers are polymerised/polycondensated, e.g. as described by McGrath et al.^(53,54,55). ⁵³ Y. S. Kim, F. Wang, M. Hickner, T. A. Zawodzinski, J. E. McGrath. J. Membr. Sci. 2003, 212, 263⁵⁴ W. L. Harrison. F. Wang, J. B. Mecham, V. A. Bhanu, M. Hill, Y. S. Kim, J. E. McGrath. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2003, 41,2264 ⁵⁵ Y. S. Kim, M. A. Hickner, L. Dong, B. S. Pivovar. J. E. McGrath, J. Membr. Sci. 2004, 243, 317

-   -   Phosphonation

Apart from the processes according to the invention of the reaction of carbonic acid groups or carbonic acid derivatives like carbonic acid chloride or carbonic acid anhydride with phosphorous acid derivatives like PCl₃, phosphorous acid, phosphorous acid ester or tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite, the usual procedures (phosphonation of the polymers^(15,16,17,18) or phosphonation of monomers with subsequent polymerisation/polycondensation¹⁴) can be applied. The best known reactions for the phosphonation of polymers are the Michaelis-Arbusov-reaction or the Michaelis-Becker-reaction. Also other here not explicitly described phosphonation processes can be used for the introduction of the phosphonic acid group. A possible process is the metalation of the polymer and the subsequent reaction of the metallated polymer with a halogenated phosphor acid ester or phosphonic acid ester (examples: Chlorphosphorsaurediaryl¹⁶- or -alkylester, 2-bromethanphosphonic acid dialkylester, 3-brompropan-phosphonic acid dialkylester etc.). ¹⁵ IT R. Allcock, M. A. Hofmann, C. M. Ambler, R. V. Morford, Macromolecules 2002, 35, 3484-3489¹⁶ B. Lafitte, P. Jannasch, Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry 2005, 43, 273-286¹⁷ K. Jakoby, K. V. Peinemann, S. P. Nunes, Macromol. Chem. Phys 204, 61-67, 2003¹⁸ Xu and I. Cabasso, J. Polym. Mater. Sci. 1993, 120, 68

-   -   Carboxylation

The polymers can be carboxylated with all common procedures. Picked is here the carboxylation of polymers via lithiated intermediates like the lithiation of polysulfon PSU Udel or the lithiation of polyphenylene oxide with subsequent reaction of the lithiated intermediate with solid or gaseous CO₂ ^(56,57). From the polymeric carbonic acid the corresponding acid halide can be made by reaction with thionylchloride (for the following reaction with e.g. tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite to the corresponding 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid). Also the nucleophilic substitution reaction of electron poor halogene aromates with KCN and subsequent saponification of the CN group to the COOH group are mentioned here. Moreover methyl aromates can be reacted with potassium permanganate to the corresponding aromatic carbonic acids, e.g. 2-, 3- or 4-methylpyridines. Aliphatic carbonic acids are also obtainable by oxidation of aliphatic alcohols or aldehydes. ⁵⁶ Guiver, M. D. Ph. D. Dissertation, Carletown university 1987, Ottawa-Ontario, Canada⁵⁷ Beihoffer, T. W.; Glas, J. E. Polymer 1986, 27, 1626-32

Application Examples

1. Preparation of an ionically cross-linked blend from a 1-hydraxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid containing a pyridine group and a sulfonated arylene main-chain polymer (universal procedure)

3 g of the sulfonated arylene main-chain polymer in the SO₃Na form are dissolved in DMSO to a 10% solution. It is dissolved so much of the pyridine-containing 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid in the Na⁺ form in DMSO to a 10% solution, that there is 1 sulfonate group per 1 pyridine group. Thereafter the solutions are mixed together. The combined solution is cast onto a glass plate to a thin film with a doctor knife. Then the DMSO is removed via evaporation at temperatures between 50 and 150° C. and, if necessary, low pressure of 800-10 mbar. Then the polymer film is removed under water from the glass plate. The polymer film is posttreated as follows:

-   -   1. In 1 to 50% base (alkali base such as NaOH, KOH, LiOH, etc.,         earth alkali such as Ba(OH)₂,Ca(OH)₂, aqueous ammonia or aqueous         primary, secondary or tertiary amines or quaternary ammonium         salts) at temperatures between 0 to 100° C. for 1 to 480 hours;     -   2. in 0,1 to 90% mineral acid (HCl, HBr, H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄) at         temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for 2 to 480 hours;     -   3. in fully desalted water at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for         2 seconds to 480 hours;     -   4. in 0,1 to 10 molar ZrOCl₂-solution at temperatures from 0 to         100° C. for 2 to 480 hours;     -   5. in fully desalted water at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for         2 seconds to 480 hours;     -   6. in 0,1 to 90% H₃PO₄ at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for 2         to 480 hours;     -   7. in fully desalted water at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for         2 seconds to 480 hours.

In doing so discrete steps of the posttreatment can be skipped and/or the sequence (order) of the posttreatment can be exchanged in any order.

-   -   2. Preparation of a covalently cross-linked blend of an         agl-1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid and a polymer         which contains OH groups, whereas the low-molecular         aryl-1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid is bound to the         polymer via a dialdehyde cross-linker (universal procedure)

3 g of a polymer which contains OH groups is dissolved in a dipolar-aprotic solvent or a protic solvent, e. g. in DMSO. Subsequently the low-molecular aryl-1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid is dissolved in the same solvent, either in the H form or in the Na⁺ form. Then the glutaraldehyde is added into the solution of the low-molecular 1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid, namely per mole OH groups of the low-molecular aryl-1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid 1/2 mol glutaraldehyde. Subsequently the two solutions are mixed together.

The combined solution is cast onto a glass plate to a thin film with a doctor knife. Then the DMSO is removed via evaporation at temperatures between 50 and 150° C. and, if necessary, low pressure of 800-10 mbar. Then the polymer film is removed under water from the glass plate. The polymer film is posttreated as follows:

-   -   1. In 1 to 50% base (alkali base such as NaOH, KOH, LiOH, etc.,         earth alkali such as Ba(OH)₂,Ca(OH)₂, aqueous ammonia or aqueous         primary, secondary or tertiary amines or quaternary ammonium         salts) at temperatures between 0 to 100° C. for 1 to 480 hours;     -   2. in 0,1 to 90% mineral acid (HCl, HBr, H₂SO₄, H₃PO₄) at         temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for 2 to 480 hours;     -   3. in fully desalted water at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for         2 to 480 hours;     -   4. in 0,1 to 10 molar ZrOCl₂-solution at temperatures from 0 to         100° C. for 2 to 480 hours;     -   5. in fully desaited water at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for         2 seconds to 480 hours;     -   6. in 0,1 to 90% H₃PO₄ at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for 2         to 480 hours;     -   7. in fully desalted water at temperatures from 0 to 100° C. for         2 seconds to 480 hours. In doing so discrete steps of the         posttreatment can be skipped and/or the sequence (order) of the         posttreatment can be exchanged in any order.     -   3. Preparation of a polymer modified with         1-hydroxymethylene-1,1-bisphosphonic acid groups from a         polymeric acid choride at the example of PSU Udel

Carboxylated PSU with two carboxylic groups per repeating unit is prepared according to ⁵⁶ For the preparation of the PSU-di acidchloride the PSU-dicarboxylic acid is dissolved in a 9-fold excess of thionylchloride, referring to the mass of polymer. A small amount of N,N-dimethylformamide is added to this mixture, and the reaction mixture is refluxed for 72 hours. The PSU-diacidchloride is precipitated in a large excess of isopropanol, and excess thoinylchloride is washed out. The PSU-di-acidchloride is dried to weight constancy. Subsequently 10 g of the PSU-di-acidchloride are dissolved in 1000 ml anhydrous THF and filled in a dried 2000 ml gas flask which was silylated before. Under argon is cooled down to −78° C. Subsequently tris(trimethylsilylphosphite)e (per milliequivalent acidchloride 1 millimol tris(trimethylsilylphosphite)e) is added via syringe under vigorous stirring. ⁵⁶ Guiver, M. D. Ph. D. Dissertation, Carletown university 1987, Ottawa-Ontario, Canada

At this temperature it is stirred for 2 hours, and subsequently it is warmed up to −10° C.

Then to the polymer a 10-fold excess is added (per 1 millimol tris(trimethylsilylphosphite)e 20 millimol methanol) to hydrolyze the silyl ester. The reaction solution volume is reduced to 10% of the initial volume via rotating of of the THF, and subsequently the polymer is precipitated in IL of 1-molar HCl. The polymeric precipitate is filtered off, is washed with I-molar HCl, and is taken up in 250 ml water. Subsequently the aqueous polymer mixture is dialyzed via dialysis tube. Then the water of the dialysate is evaporated, and the polymer is dried over P₄O₁₀ until weight constancy under oil pump vacuum. 

1. (canceled)
 2. A blend or blend membrane formed from a hydroxymethylene-oligo-phosphonic acid R-C(P0₃H₂)_(x)(OH)_(y) and a polymer, in which the radical R is any organic radical, x and y are integers, the hydroxymethylene-oligo-phosphonic acid is a product of a reaction involving a carbonic acid, a carbonic acid halide or a carbonic acid anhydride, and the polymer includes a functional group selected from the group consisting of: (i) cation exchange groups or their non-ionic precursor of the type —SO₂X, —POX₂, or —COX, where X represents a halogen —OH, —OMe, —NR₁R₂, or —OR₁, where Me represents a metal cation or a transition metal cation, and where R₁ and R₂ represent —H, an aryl radical or an alkyl radical; and (ii) basic groups selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups, imidazole groups, pyridine groups, pyrazole groups and —OH groups.
 3. The blend or blend membrane of claim 2, wherein the transition metal cations comprises ZrO²⁺ or TiO²⁺ or ammonium cation
 4. The blend or blend membrane of claim 2, wherein the hydroxymethylene-oligo-phosphonic acid is formed by reacting either (a) the carbonic acid with PCl₃/H₃PO₃ and subsequent hydrolysis with H₂O; or (b) the carbonic acid, the carbonic acid halide, or the carbonic acid anhydride with tris (trimethyl silyl phosphite) with subsequent hydrolysis by methanol.
 5. The blend or blend membrane of claim 2, wherein the radical R of the hydroxymethylene-oligo phosphonic acid contains an aliphatic or aromatic basic group, which interacts ionically with an acidic group in the polymer.
 6. The blend or blend membrane of claim 5, wherein the aliphatic or aromatic basic group is selected from the group consisting of: primary, secondary and tertiary basic amino groups, quaternary ammonium salts, imidazole groups, pyrazole groups, pyridyl radicals, and other basic heterocyclic and heteroaromatic radicals.
 7. The blend or blend membrane of claim 2, wherein molecules of the hydroxymethylene-oligo phosphonic are covalently cross-linked with each other at the OH groups, or with OH groups in the polymer.
 8. The blend or blend membrane of claim 7, wherein cross-linking is achieved by: (a) addition of AgNO₃ under hydrothermal conditions and reduction of AgNO₃ to elemental silver nanoparticles and liberation of HNO₃; (b) using epichlorohydrine as cross-linker; (c) by addition of glutaraldehyde or other di-aldehydes; (d) addition of melamine-formaldehyde-cross-linkers; (e) by reacting the OH groups with cinnamon acid chloride under UV light; (f) addition of α,β-dihalogen alkanes, dihalogen aromates, or Hal-R-Hal, where Hal represents a halogen.
 9. The blend or blend membrane of claim 8, wherein the cross-linking is achieved by further including a deprotonation agent for the OH groups.
 10. The blend or blend membrane of claim 2, wherein the hydroxymethylene-oligo phosphonic acid comprises a modified polymer formed by either (a) reacting a phosphite compound with a polymer containing functional groups selected from the group consisting of carbonic acid groups and carbonic acid halide groups; or (b) (i) reacting a polymeric aldehyde with phosphorous acid ester under amine catalysis, and (ii) oxidizing an intermediate hydroxyphosphonic acid therefrom with MnO₂ or another oxidation agent.
 11. A process for producing an ionically cross-linked blend from the hydroxymethylene-oligo phosphonic and a sulfonated aryl main chain polymer, comprising: (a) dissolving the sulfonated aryl main chain polymer in a salt form in a dipolar-aprotic solvent; (b) dissolving the hydroxymethylene-oligo phosphonic acid in a dipolar-aprotic solvent; (c) mixing the solutions of (a) and (b) and coating the mixture on a glass plate to a thin film at a temperature between 50 and 150° C.; (d) evaporating the solvent under a pressure between 10 and 800 mbar; (e) removing the polymer film under water from the glass plate; (f) at a temperature between 0° C. to 100° C., post-treating the polymer film (i) in a 1 to 50% base; (ii) in a 0.1 to 90% mineral acid; (iii) in 0.1 to 10 molar ZrOCl₂ solution; and (iv) in 0.1 to 90% H₃PO₄, wherein after each of steps (i)-(iv) the polymer film is rinsed in deionised water.
 12. The process of claim 11, wherein the dipolar-aprotic solvent comprises DMSO as a 1 to 20% solution.
 13. The process of claim 11, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of NaOH, KOH, LiOH, Ba(OH)₂, Ca(OH)₂, aqueous ammonia, aqueous primary, secondary or tertiary amines, and quaternary ammonium salts.
 14. The process of claim 11, further comprising including in the mixture a cross-linker.
 15. The process of claim 14, wherein the cross-linker comprises glutaraldehyde.
 16. The process of claim 11, wherein the hydroxymethylene-oligo phosphonic acid is formed by: (a) reacting a carboxylated polymer with a thionyl chloride to form a carbonic acid chloride; (b) dissolving the polymeric acid chloride in an ether solvent to a 0.1 to 5% solution; (c) transferring the polymeric acid chloride solution into a previously silylated, dried glass vessel under argon and cooled under argon to a temperature between 0° C. and −78° C.; (d) under stirring, introducing tris into the glass vessel to provide a silyl ester; (e) hydrolyzing the silyl ester in methanol; (f) evaporating the solvent; (g) precipitating a polymer precipitate in HCl; (h) filtering and washing the polymer precipitate in HCl; (i) dissolving the washed polymer precipitate in water; and (j) evaporating the water and drying a resulting polymer over P₄O₁₀.
 17. The process of claim 16, wherein the ether solvent comprises THF or diethylether. 